Celebrating 10 Years of Entrepreneurship
The Miller School of Entrepreneurship was launched 10 years ago. Today, it stands as a national model. How did it get there?
2015
A $5 million gift from Fielding and Kim Miller is awarded to the COB to establish the Miller School of Entrepreneurship and the J. Fielding Distinguished Professorship.
2016
The Miller School officially opens.
2017
A gift from Van and Jennifer Isley establishes the Isley Innovation Hub, home of the Miller School.
The Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge launches.
2018
Dr. Mike Harris is named the first director of the Miller School.
Simple and Sentimental wins the first Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge and a cash prize of $12,500.
The Summer Innovation Academy is launched to help introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to high school students.
The James W. Chesnutt and David A. Bond Professorship is established.
2019
The BS in Entrepreneurship degree is launched.
The Miller School cracks the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine list of Top 50 Undergraduate Schools of Entrepreneurship for the first time.
RISE29 wins USASBE’s Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Award for empowering students to drive rural entrepreneurship in eastern North Carolina.
A gift from Matt and Kim Crisp establishes the Crisp Small Business Resource Center, which provides access to best practices and knowledge for students and regional entrepreneurs.
2020
The Miller School joins the Sigma Nu Tau entrepreneurship honor society, becoming the 31st chapter overall and second in NC.
2021
Brady Hillhouse receives the first BS Entrepreneurship degree.
The Miller School wins the Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center Award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship.
The Miller School wins the Best Practices Award and Project of the Year Competition from the National Small Business Institute®.
The Miller School wins the USASBE Model Emerging Program Award for excellence in entrepreneurship education, research, and programming.
2022
The Isley Innovation Hub officially opens in the Wright Building.
The Pirate Entrepreneurship Fund is launched, providing crucial financial support for entrepreneurs.
2023
The Isley Innovation Hub welcomes its 25,000th visitor.
2024
A gift from Helen Aman and family provides support for the Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge which is renamed the Gene T. Aman Pirate Challenge.
2025
- Dr. Josh Aaron is named second director of the Miller School.
- 6th consecutive year being ranked in the Princeton Review.
- The Miller School awards its 100th entrepreneurship degree.
- The Gene T. Aman Pirate Challenge surpasses the $1M mark in cumulative prizes.
- Isley Innovation Hub welcomes its 50,000th visitor.
